Tottenham Eye Bentley and Gomes

Tottenham have offered Aaron Lennon plus £7m for Blackburn's David Bentley, and have allowed their goalkeeper Paul Robinson to talk to Aston Villa. The bid for Bentley has been rejected but Spurs retain an interest in the player, who has declared an intention to leave.

Robinson's future has been uncertain and Spurs are close to completing the signing of Heurelho Gomes from PSV. They hope to use Lee Young-pyo, previously a full-back with the Eindhoven club, as a make weight in the deal, which would be worth £10m. Tottenham value Robinson at £5m but Villa, who have sent Scott Carson back to Liverpool, value him at £3.5m.

Reading are mulling over a £3.5m bid from Middlesbrough for their midfielder James Harper but Sunderland have distanced themselves from reports they are to make a £5m offer for James Beattie, the Sheffield United center forward. However, they are expected finally to recruit Stephen Hunt from Reading.

Steven Taylor is likely to sign a new three-year deal at Newcastle. Manchester City have emerged as serious rivals to Portsmouth to sign Peter Crouch from Liverpool, who are prepared to lower the £15m asking price.